The Walt Disney World Tag!

Saturday I saw Chic & Duran Duran in concert. The show was a lot of fun. It was my 3rd time seeing Chic and my 13th time seeing Duran. Before the show, a big group of us was going to tailgate in the parking lot, but the weather didn’t cooperate. So we moved the gathering across the road to the Hard Rock casino. It’s always a great time hanging out with my extended Duranie “family”.

We are Duranies and yes we know we’re nuts.

Chic always puts on a super classy show that you can seriously get your dance on to.

Duran Duran as always was very entertaining.

Anyhow, today’s post is going to be a little different as I’m going to do The Walt Disney World Tag!

I saw Rachel over at Mysterious Beauties do this tag and I knew right away I had to do it myself as I am a HUGE Disney & theme park junkie.

So grab yourself a churro, put on your Mickey ears and let’s get going!

First time you went to Walt Disney World?

My first visit to Walt Disney World was March of 1978. I was 3 (turned 4 that summer). And I remember a lot of that visit quite vividly.

Favorite Park?

Epcot. It’s not as good as it used to be (I loved it back when it was still called EPCOT Center), but it’s still a fun park to visit.

This view NEVER gets old for me.

Favorite land at Magic Kingdom?

It used to be Tomorrowland, but right now I feel it needs a MAJOR overhaul. I miss how it used to look in the 70s & 80s. Fantasyland looks great now with the addition of New Fantasyland, so I’ll have to say that.

Tomorrowland entrance how it looked in 1975. So simple, elegant and futuristic.

Under the Sea: Voyage of the Little Mermaid in New Fantasyland

Favorite Disney resort hotel?

That I’ve stayed at? Pop Century. I’m a pop culture junkie, so… yeah (I’ve stayed there 4 times so far). Port Orleans Riverside is really nice too (I loved the room I had when I stayed there – they put me in the Alligator Bayou section). I’d love to stay at the Polynesian sometime, but it’s so freaking expensive!

80s themed building at Pop Century

Giant 8-track tapes at the starirwells of the 70s themed buildings at Pop Century

Favorite snack?

I have more than one! Dole Whip, Citrus Swirl… the oatmeal apple caramel cookie from Karamel Kuche in the Germany pavilion at Epcot is amazing, tangerine kakigori (shaved ice) from the Japan pavilion at Epcot is so good too.

Citrus Swirl! Orange & vanilla soft serve swirled together. So good!

Dole Whip (pineapple soft serve) Float made with spiced rum! Only available at Epcot during special events like the Flower & Garden or Food & Wine festivals.

Favorite souvenir?

I had to really think about this one. So many choices! But I have to say… my Duffy bear. I got him in 2010 when they brought him back to the States (he was initially launched as just The Disney Bear in I think 2002 or 2003 and didn’t do well. They sent him to Japan, where he was renamed Duffy and he became extremely popular in Japan… like rock star status (google it sometime)… so they brought him back to the US to try to replicate the success, but it sadly hasn’t gone well because it’s a cultural thing as the Japanese have the whole Kwaii culture and embrace pretty much anything cute; int he States he’s seen more as a Build-A-Bear ripoff, which is not what he is at all) and he’s gone back to the parks with me every time since then… and other places as well! He’s my cuddly travel companion. He’s very well loved but still in good shape (I took him to Build-A-Bear once & they were nice enough to put some extra stuffing in him when he started getting too floppy). He’s a little bear with a BIG personality.

Favorite counter service/table service restaurant?

Favorite counter service used to be Sleepy Hollow at Magic Kingdom… until they took my favorite waffle sandwich (sweet & spicy chicken) off the menu. So now I have to go with Sunshine Seasons in The Land pavilion and Tangerine Cafe in the Morocco pavilion (both at Epcot).

I really haven’t done many table service restaurants (because they’re expensive), but I really liked the buffet at Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom the few times I’ve done it. I also really like Kona Cafe at the Polynesian (I HIGHLY recommend the pineapple macadamia pancakes at breakfast – and pair it with a French-press pot of Kona coffee).

I’ve never been to Animal Kingdom (not really interested in it), so can’t pick from there.

Favorite show?

I really don’t see many of the shows at the parks, but I really like the Impressions de France movie at Epcot. I was also a huge fan of Captain EO (both when it was originally at Epcot in the 80s and when they brought it back in 2010).

I like the live entertainment at Epcot too, especially the band that plays in the UK pavilion, British Revolution. They’re a lot of fun, play lots of great Brit rock & are really nice guys too.

Favorite parade/fireworks?

I really love the new(ish) Festival of Fantasy parade at Magic Kingdom. It’s the best parade they’ve done in a loooong time. I’m not a huge fireworks fan, but the ones during the Halloween party are fun. I also like the parades during the Halloween & Christmas parties too.

Awesome steampunk Maleficent Dragon in the Festival of Fantasy parade

Favorite pavilion at Epcot?

Back in the day, it was Imagination hands down. That whole pavilion (the original Journey Into Imagination, the Image Works upstairs, the Magic Eye Theatre next door) was a work of art. Now, it’s a joke. I’d give just about anything to see that pavilion overhauled. I’d love to see a new ride somewhat based on/inspired by the original or inspired bu the Figment comic books Disney/Marvel put out last year & this year. I want Dreamfinder back!

But if we’re talking say World Showcase, then I have to go with Japan. I am totally fascinated with Japanese culture. They’re so wonderfully weird there. The Cast Members are always so friendly and fun to talk to (I love talking with them about the parks in Tokyo). Plus the big shop (Mitsukoshi) has some of the coolest Japanese souvenirs. They got everything from Pokemon, Hello Kitty, Studio Ghibli, Domo, Anime to kimonos, chopsticks, tea sets, lucky cat statues and lots of Japanese sweets and treats (I love, love, loooooove Japanese sweets!). They even have a sake bar in one corner!

Japan pavilion

What color was your last Magic Band?

I’ve never owned a Magic Band. If I ever get one though,I want one with Tigger, Orange Bird, Figment or Duffy on it.

Favorite character to meet?

Tigger! He’s been my favorite character since I was like 3 years old. For me it’s not a visit to Disney unless I see Tigger. I’ve had some pretty hilarious encounters meeting him. One time he even “proposed” to me! And yes, there are photos:

I loved meeting Duffy when he was at Epcot, but sadly they sacked him last year (so mad I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye properly).

Character you haven’t met but want to?

So many! But at the top of the list is probably Panchito (from The Three Caballeros), Maleficent & Thumper.

Best Disney memory?

It’s a funny/embarrassing story actually.

It was during my first visit in 1978. We went to see the Mickey Mouse Revue show (it featured animatronic versions of Mickey & the gang performing classic Disney songs – check out the video below). At the end of the show, animatronic Mickey said to the audience, “That’s our show! We hope you enjoyed it!” and the curtain closed. Well, that show was the first time I’d seen Mickey in the park that day and 3 year old me didn’t know it was a robot. So in the dead silent theatre, I yelled at the top of my lungs, “MICKEY! MICKEY! DON’T GOOOOOOO!” The entire audience erupted into laughter… and my parents wanted to crawl in a hole and die. LOLOL!!!

And that’s it! That was a fun one!

If you’re reading this… consider yourself tagged if you want to do this one.

As always, thank you so much for reading and your support. I hope the rest of your Monday behaves for you and I’ll see you again on Wednesday with a new post! 🙂

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4 thoughts on “The Walt Disney World Tag!”

I love Disney!!! Lol People Mover is a good ride – last year when I went to my little cousin was so afraid of People Mover at first because it goes into that dark tunnel for a pretty lengthy time. But for some reason she changed her mind about it by the time she got off the ride and then went on it a dozen more times over the next few days!